Now that you’ve happened to come across my little blog, there’s no turning back. My goal is to leave you with hours and hours of reading entertainment! (YAS READING!) Think I’m wrong? Well, listen, if you like make up, beauty products, traveling and keeping fit, hit up the “Lifestyle” Section (It’s on top, did you find it? I knew you would!)

The Playground section, is just that: My Playground. You’ll find flatlays, mood boards, fashion inspirations and basically things that make me happy to look at. Think of it as my own personal Pinterest Page! 🙂

And for those of you, who are yet to still decide, RealTalk with Nadine, is my section for just speaking my mind- I don’t even know what’s going to get posted up there! So that might be a fun one to check out too!

Now my eyebrows have always been an obsession of mine. I used to have monster brows growing up, but at the age of 15 I discovered the beauty of threading!

I love getting my eyebrows threaded because of the incredible definition My eyebrow lady is able to achieve by doing it. But you can’t just get them threaded anywhere, lots of salons are completely over priced when it comes to threading and majority of the time they do a below average job.

When it comes to threading there are only two women in my life: Vasanta and Rashmi. Both situated in the Crawford/Rondebosch East area.

I started attending Rashmis beauty and Spa years ago, her home has been transformed into a beautiful salon and everything is incredibly decorated, neat and hygienic. The reason I stopped making appointments there is because I could never get a last minute appointment, because she became so popular that she was literally always full. So I haven’t been to Rashmi in a few years, but if you’re fine with booking two weeks in advance for an appointment, she’s the one for you.

When I found Vasanta, who’s literally just around the corner for Rashmi, the game changed. Though her establishment isn’t as pretty, it’s actually pretty rough. Two beds squeezed into a small room with a curtain separating them while Vasanta and her assistant Ashti get to work on your brows. If you can get over the look of it, your in for a treat because I pay R50 for lip and brow threading. R50!!! It’s insanely cheap. And she’s amazing at what she does. And what’s better, she fits me in whenever. Like literally I can whatsapp her and ask if I can come in 10 minutes and she makes it happen. Vasanta is bae.

Anyways, now you have my eyebrow secrets. Oh! Here are their numbers if you want to book:

So for the past few months I’ve been trying to gather enough courage to book my first bikini wax appointment! Scared that I would never reach this point, yesterday I marched into the first salon I saw (Which was Sorbet Montclare) and made an appointment, which happened to be for today. I figured, I might as well do it as soon as possible before I chickened out.

So Why Do It?
Well TBH, shaving my bikini area is just not for me anymore. It’s uncomfortable when it grows back and the hairs are always hard. Also, it’s summer and a girl wants to flourish without worrying if I’ve shaved recently enough.

Preparation?
I always thought your hair had to be a specific length before you could get it waxed, but turns out if it’s anything a quarter of an inch or longer, its all good. Also, you don’t have to worry if you think it’s too long, your therapist is equipped to shorten and trim the hair as needed.

So…How was it?
Okay, so getting undressed from the bottom down and waiting for your beauty therapist to come back into the room is a bit awkward. Bit it get’s even awkwarder when she opens your legs for you, leaving you spread eagled on the bed. Luckily, my therapist Cindy, was lovely, she knew it was my first time and spoke me through the process and what to expect.

Cindy explained that because I have been shaving my entire life, the hairs will be thicker and therefore my first few waxing attempts will be more painful. She also said that some little hairs will not be removed because of my shaving history, eventually they’ll disappear as I go for more appointments. She also warned to look out for ingrown hairs and that I should exfoliate the area two or three times a week.

Okay, but HOW was it?
It’s pretty chilled, Cindy and I are talking, I warned her that I am a uncontrollable giggler when I’m nervous or in pain, she said it’s perfectly normal. She applied the wax, which was warm and soothing, and I’m lying there thinking, this isn’t going to be that bad man.

Cindy, still distracting me with questions, asked me why I’ve decided to start waxing. I was midway through my sentence when BAM, she takes the first strip off. I’m not gonna lie, a few profanities escaped my mouth with the first one, but as I got into it, it was just me laughing from pain.

Like it’s not terrible, it’s more of a stinging sensation, which is over just as quickly as it starts.

The entire Hollywood wax took about 15 mins. Which was perfect. I didn’t cry, I just laughed and sweated a little, but it was bearable.

So now what?
Now I’ll be wearing some lose fitting underwear because the skin is still a bit sensitive and I’ll be enjoying how soft the skin feels. YAS. I’ll have to wait a month until my next one, but I’m happy I finally went. It’s like ripping a band-aid off, just do it. Literally.

Hi 20 Somethings!
So last week I was sent the newest item in the Labello lip care range: The Vanilla Buttercream Labello.

My first impression of this product is that it smells amazing, like good enough to eat. And that’s a big thing I look for in a lip product.

Using it this past week, I’ve realised that it’s long wearing. Which is great because you don’t have to constantly apply it. It contains Shea Butter and natural oils for that extra nourishment. It also doesn’t leave any colour on your lips.

Is it a groundbreaking product? I don’t think so. I used to love Labello, until I realised it was drying out my lips and basically making me crave it. And I found that this week, my lips were left dry, peeling and even bleeding. (Which hasn’t happened since I’ve changed to another brand)

So even though this product is better than other Labello products I have used in the past, if you suffer from dry lips, this is not the product for you. But if you need something that smells amazing and lasts forever, then try it out.

Hello 20 Somethings!
Happy 2018 to you and yours! I don’t know about you, but I’m so feeling the New Year, New Me vibes. And new me, also means new blog posts! Yay!

So this post is the first of a new line of reviews, focussing on small day Spas where you can get your everyday beauty treatments done, such as nails, massages, hair removal etc.

I usually get my gelish done at a well known salon, which you can find at any mall, but recently I’ve been disappointed with their service and have begun venturing out to other smaller salons to get my nails done.

I happened upon Solace Therapy, when a friend of mine invited me to get my nails done with her. In the heart of Buitengracht Street, Cape Town, the venue is accessible and perfect for a girls day.

The salon is clean and well lit and it creates a perfect environment for relaxation. The staff were all extremely friendly and accommodating. On the downside, we weren’t offered any sort of beverage on arrival. (as most salon’s do, which adds a lovely, personal touch.)

I had my gelish done by a lovely therapist named Tamryn, she’s probably one of the best women I’ve had the pleasure of meeting while doing my nails. She was extremely friendly and made for good conversation- and she did a pretty good job with my nails. She’s the main reason I will be returning.

They don’t have as many Gelish colours available as I would have liked, but enough to be able to work with as well as some unusual colours to play around with.

I was very happy with my experience at Solace Therapy and will definitely be returning in the near future. Their prices are reasonable and won’t break your bank and they also stock my favourite skincare range, Environ!

What’s up 20 Somethings,
I hope you’re having the best December. With the weather heating up, your skincare routine should be bulking up to defend your skin from sun damage and dryness! This is why I was super excited to receive the Neutrogena Hydroboost Water gel from Rubybox.

This moisturiser is dedicated to hydrating the skin and locking in intense hydration. I’ve been using it for over two weeks now and it’s the best moisturiser I have come across this year, like if you want to invest in a good skincare product, this is the one. It’s oil free so I don’t shine bright like a diamond after application, It’s extremely lightweight and non-sticky which means it spreads over my skin easily and is absorbed effortlessly. My skin feels fresh after applying it, as if a thirst has been quenched.

It’s secret ingredient? Purified Hyaluronic Acid which absorbs up to 1000x it’s weight in water, the formula of the water gel then releases the hydration back into the skin all day long. (Super sciencey but it sounds legit and it works!)

This great product is available at any Clicks or Dis-chem for R139,95 which makes is a great middle market product with amazing quality.

It’s been a minute since I’ve written a review, but never fear, good things come to those who wait!

We all know how I feel about Nivea products, they’re amazing quality and so damn affordable. I literally do a little happy dance whenever I get sent something from Nivea.

This time, Rubybox sent me the new Perfect and Radiant Toning Lotion for oily skin. This product promises to control shine, purify and clear your skin, while also preventing blemishes. It’s got Magnolia Extract and is developed for skin which is prone to oiliness and blemishes.

From my previous reviews, you’ll know I’m not always the biggest fan of toners, I sometimes find that some toning products are unnecessary for your skincare routine and a lot of products often irritate the skin.

After using this toning lotion for the past few days, I can safely say it’s a toner like no other. It smells like a lotion and does not leave my skin feeling dry or tight after application. In fact it works so well I can go without moisturiser if I feel like it.

If you suffer from oily skin, this is a great product to add to your skincare regime.

So for those of you who follow our Instagram page, We’ve been sent these mystery products from the Beauty Bulletin.
This shampoo and conditioner contains Shea Butter…and that’s all I know about it.

I’ve basically been asked to review it blindly, without any knowledge of the contents, price, packaging or brand.

I’ve been using the products for a week now on my hair and I can honestly say I’m happy with the results. It’s sweet smell lingers for a while after a wash and I keep having people tell me how great my hair smells. The smell is very familiar, my first thought was that it’s Head and Shoulders, but after comparing the two products’ smells my theory proved incorrect.

This mystery product makes my hair feel softer and it also detangles my hair easily. (I literally just use my fingertips to run through my hair after it’s been conditioned and no tangles!) The product leaves my hair with unbelievable body and curl definition.

The only negative thing I have to say about this product is that it contains sulphates. And I usually use a sulphate free shampoo and conditioner. I also suspect that the conditioner is too strong to use as a leave in conditioner as I seem to be having a negative skin reaction from leaving the conditioner in.

I usually buy my haircare products at Clicks and my suspicion that this product is something I could find on their shelves.

I cannot guess what this product is, but the quality is astounding.

After 4 washes I think it’s exactly what my hair needed! Can’t wait to find out what it is. Watch this space to find out!
CAN YOU GUESS WHAT I’M USING? Let me know in the comments!

Summer is around the corner and you know your pool parties will not be complete without a banging playlist. Let’s not lie, 2017 has been a killer year for music. So I’ve picked five of my favourite songs, that will ensure your summer playlist is lit as fuck.

1. Bodak Yellow – Cardi B
Fam, you can’t even lie, Cardi B dropped one of the hottest songs of the year. A hip hop track with just the right combination of chill and aggressiveness. It’s such a jam and it’s guaranteed to be one of the songs you and all your friends will be rapping along to this summer.

2. Mi Gente – J Balvin and Willy William (Feat. Beyonce)
Ok. I didn’t like the original version, I found that sound at the beginning to be annoying. But whatever, then Beyonce hopped on the remix and worked her magic and just like that the song worked it’s way into my heart. This song just screams summer when you listen to it and all proceeds go to the Hurricane Relief fund.

3. New Rules – Dua Lipa
Man, if this song isn’t on top of your break up playlist, you’re doing breakup’s wrong. Besides it being a great song to sing along to, it’s beat just makes you want to shake a little something. I just picture myself driving in Camps Bay on a hot summer day with all my windows open and this song blasting out my speakers.

4. Slide- Calvin Harris (feat. Frank Ocean and Migos)
Okay, this song has been out for a while though, but it’s just such a vibe it never gets old. In fact, just go ahead and add this entire album to your playlist ( Calvin Harris – Funk Wave Bounces Vol.1) because it is all kinds of summer time fine.

5. Lemon – N.E.R.D & Rihanna
I’ve been a N.E.R.D fan since primary school, so it’s really sick that they’re out here making jams and with no one else but Rihanna! You even get to hear Riri rap in this track, it’s definitely something new. I’ve had it on repeat since it came out!

I was literally the happiest girl on the planet when Rubybox sent me this amazing range from Rimmel. 12 amazing matte lip colours that promise long lasting wear (12 hours- HELLO!) and if that’s not enough for you, they’re also touch proof, waterproof and kiss proof! (Basically Life Proof)

I put this lip colour to the test, to make sure that it lives up to the hype. (I posted the “Tourture Test” to our Instagram page: @20SomethingsBlog) I wasn’t disappointed, the lipstick lasted over 13 hours with ONE APPLICATION! I ate, drank, kissed and the colour did not smudge or leave marks anywhere!

Swatches for Days!

The colours are super pigmented and one coat of lipstick is all you need for a rocking 12 hour long look. With 12 colours to choose from, there’s definitely something for everyone in this range. The range came with a lovely set of nudes and nude pinks, which I got really excited about, because I’ve been on the hunt for a nude lip. Unfortunately none of the nudes in this range suit my skin tone. For my brown girls, you’re gonna wanna stick to the darker colours: Midnight, Plum This Show, Heartbeat, Fire Starter, Rose and Shine and maybe Pink Blink.
(Rimmel, if you’re reading this, brown girls need nudes too!)

Rocking “Fire Starter”

Rocking “Fire Starter”

Rocking “Fire Starter”

The application is tricky, it’s quite thick and you need to be careful not to purse your lips while applying it because it creates unevenness in the colour and lines you don’t want. Once it’s dry though (2 mins max) you’re good to do whatever you wanna do with your lips. It’s lightweight and comfortable on your lips with a velvety matte finish.

At the end of the day this product is amazing and I’ll definitely be using it a lot in the near future. Let’s just hope Rimmel makes some nude colours for my skin tone, because I NEED IT!

If you wanna add this range to your collection, it’ll cost you R119.99 ONLY! OMG! #AffordableAF or if you want to win your own set, follow our Instagram account in November and lookout for our giveaway!